District Attorney

Mental Health Court (MHC) is a specialty court program for people who have committed a crime and are living with a major mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or similar conditions. The goal is to support participants in managing their mental health while addressing the underlying issues that contributed to their criminal behavior. 

MHC is a collaborative effort involving the District Attorney’s Office, probation, the court, local defense attorneys, and Clackamas County’s Behavioral Health Unit. Together, this team provides wrap-around services that may include medication support, substance use treatment, weekly group counseling, and help securing stable housing. 

Who Can Participate 

To be eligible, individuals must: 

• Live in Clackamas County
• Be willing to follow all program requirements
• Not pose a significant public safety risk 

How the Program Works 

Participants meet regularly with the Mental Health Court team, follow a treatment plan, and attend scheduled court hearings to track their progress. The program is designed to hold individuals accountable while giving them the structure and support they need to stabilize and succeed. 

In many cases, MHC offers meaningful incentives. Participants may receive reduced jail or prison time in exchange for meeting treatment goals and complying with program rules. Some individuals may also qualify for deferred sentencing—meaning their case could be dismissed upon successful completion of the program, depending on their charges and criminal history. 

Benefits of Mental Health Court 

• Reduces the likelihood of future criminal behavior
• Connects individuals with consistent mental health treatment
• Provides closer supervision than traditional probation
• Supports long-term stability in the community 

Contact 

Mental Health Court is held at the Clackamas County Courthouse. 
For more information, call 503-655-8401. 

Impact Court is a pre-charging diversion program designed to reduce future criminal behavior among individuals experiencing homelessness or addiction who commit low-level offenses. Participants are connected with case managers who help them access services such as addiction treatment, medical care, housing, and job placement. 

How to Enter Impact Court 

There are two paths into the program: 

1. Law Enforcement Referral:
   1. When a law enforcement officer investigates a low-level offense (like trespassing or minor theft), eligible individuals are diverted from jail to a case manager.
   2. Participants complete an in-depth assessment within 14 days and sign a release allowing information sharing with program partners.
   3. The officer files an arrest report for DA review. If the participant meets all program requirements, no criminal charges are filed. Failure to comply results in charges being filed.
2. Partner Referral:
   1. A program partner may refer an individual who meets program criteria (affected by drugs or alcohol, facing homelessness, and involved with the criminal justice system).
   2. The team evaluates whether participation will benefit both the individual and the community. Eligible candidates are then brought into the program. 

Impact Court focuses on addressing underlying causes of crime, providing support, and improving community safety through proactive intervention. 

The Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations in the Portland metro area. CCITF is a multi-agency unit made up of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. 

The District Attorney’s Office assigns two Deputy District Attorneys (DDAs) to work closely with CCITF. Their responsibilities include: 

• Advising on search and seizure law, forfeiture, property, and search warrants
• Interpreting legislative and judicial decisions
• Prosecuting suspects investigated by CCITF, including cases related to fatal overdoses 

One DDA is also designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA), allowing prosecution of Clackamas County cases in either state or federal court. 

This partnership strengthens the county’s ability to target organized drug crime while ensuring compliance with legal standards. 

DUII Court provides an alternative approach for defendants with a history of driving under the influence (DUII), especially those who have already faced traditional penalties like jail, fines, and probation. The program addresses the underlying issues of addiction and accountability, aiming to reduce repeat offenses and improve public safety. 

How DUII Court Works 

Each participant is supported by a multi-disciplinary team, which includes: 

• DUII Court judge
• Defense counsel
• Deputy district attorney
• Deputy sheriff
• Probation officer
• Treatment court coordinator
• Local treatment providers DUII Court judge

Because the program is voluntary, participants are motivated to succeed. Every team member, including the participant, plays a critical role in achieving positive outcomes.  

Program Benefits

While charges are not dismissed through DUII Court, participants gain access to: 

• Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
• Reduced or waived fines and fees
• Reduced jail sanctions
• Support for employment, education, housing, and healthcare

Program Goal 

DUII Court helps participants overcome addiction and develop the skills needed to maintain long-term sobriety. Graduates often continue to support others in recovery, creating safer communities and reducing the risk of future DUII incidents. 

Drug Court is designed for adults whose criminal behavior is connected to drug abuse or addiction. The program supports individuals who do not have current or past convictions involving firearms, violent crimes resulting in serious injury or death, drug manufacturing or distribution, or sexual offenses. 

Program Goals 

Drug Court aims to reduce drug-related crime and repeat offenses by offering treatment, accountability, and access to community resources. Participants learn about addiction, build skills to live drug-free, and receive support for long-term recovery. 

How the Program Works 

To enter Drug Court, defendants must plead guilty and sign a plea petition as part of a negotiated agreement. Unlike some specialty courts, successful completion does not typically lead to dismissal of charges. Instead, participants often receive a significantly reduced sentence and may avoid prison. 

Program Structure 

Drug Court includes four phases, each with its own goals: 

1. Treatment
2. Recovery
3. Relapse Prevention
4. Community Transition 

Participants are required to: 

• Attend scheduled court appearances
• Engage in treatment and rehabilitation services
• Provide frequent drug tests
• Work closely with a probation officer who tracks progress and compliance 

Graduation Requirements 

To complete the program, participants must demonstrate: 

• Consistent clean drug tests
• Employment or enrollment in education/vocational training
• Stable, clean-and-sober housing
• Other indicators of a stable, healthy lifestyle 

The Domestic Violence Deferred Sentencing Program (DVDSP) is available to eligible defendants charged with certain misdemeanor offenses involving an intimate partner or family/household member. 

How the Program Works 

To participate, individuals must: 

• Plead guilty to the criminal charge
• Complete a batterer’s intervention program
• Complete a substance abuse program, if ordered by the court
• Attend regular court hearings to monitor progress
• Follow all additional court directives 

Entry into the program requires approval from the District Attorney’s Office. 

Program Outcome 

DVDSP is a diversion program. If a participant meets all requirements and successfully completes the program, the misdemeanor charges are dismissed. 

District Attorney and Units

John Wentworth, District Attorney 
1000 Courthouse Road map
districtattorney@clackamas.us
503-655-8431
Fax: 503-655-8943

Community Court supports people charged with low-level, quality-of-life offenses—such as trespassing or minor shoplifting—by offering a path that focuses on accountability, stability and long-term success. 

Instead of traditional penalties, the court connects participants with services that address the issues contributing to their involvement in the justice system. Each participant completes an individualized plan that includes: 

• Community service, giving back to the community as a form of accountability.
• Social service support, such as housing assistance, counseling referrals or employment resources. 

Participants who successfully complete their plan avoid jail, fines and probation. For most first-time offenders, charges are dismissed when they graduate from the program. 

A One-Stop Service Mall 

Community organizations and volunteers partner with the court to create a co-located Service Mall—a centralized hub offering easy access to multiple forms of support. The Service Mall is open to all Community Court participants and to anyone in the community who needs assistance, regardless of whether they have a current case. 

Available services include: 

• Help applying for food stamps, Social Security benefits and other self-sufficiency programs
• Referrals for mental health and addiction counseling
• Job readiness support, including résumé help
• Connections to Job Corps, workforce training and other employment resources 

By reducing barriers and offering meaningful support, Community Court helps participants build stability and avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system. 

The District Attorney’s Office has a very important partnership with law enforcement, but we are separate entities with different duties and responsibilities. Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for investigating allegations of criminal conduct. The duration and intensity of those investigations depend on the type of crime being investigated.

Once the investigation is complete, the law enforcement agency submits the case to the District Attorney's Office for review. The type of crime that is alleged will determine which prosecution team, described below, will handle the case. To provide better continuity and service to victims, every prosecutor in the Clackamas County District Attorney's handles their assigned cases from the charging stage through to the cases' conclusion. Vertical prosecution has shown to improve conviction rates, reduce victim trauma, and provide more consistent, appropriate sentencing.

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Teams and Programs

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office has 35 Deputy District Attorneys, four investigators, seven child support agents, 10 victim advocates and over 30 people on our administrative team who serve the community in many ways. Deputy District Attorneys are first and foremost trial attorneys, but we have many other functions such as charging and negotiating criminal cases and staffing numerous courts appearances every day. Deputy District Attorneys, Victim Advocates and our investigators are on call 24 hours a days, 7 days a week to provide support to law enforcement and crime victims, whether it be reviewing search warrants, answering legal questions, or responding to major crime scenes or hospitals to help victims in crisis. Our staff are assigned to the following teams and specialty programs:

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